Graham Harrell

Last updated

Graham Harrell
Graham Harrell1.jpg
Harrell with the Packers in 2011
Personal information
Born: (1985-05-22) May 22, 1985 (age 39)
Brownwood, Texas, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:217 lb (98 kg)
Career information
High school: Ennis (Ennis, Texas)
College: Texas Tech
Undrafted: 2009
Career history
As a player:
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
As a coach:
  • Oklahoma State (2009)
    Offensive quality control assistant
  • Washington State (2014–2015)
    Outside wide receivers coach
  • North Texas (2016–2018)
    Offensive coordinator & quarterbacks coach
  • USC (2019–2021)
    Offensive coordinator & quarterbacks coach
  • West Virginia (2022)
    Offensive coordinator & quarterbacks coach
  • Purdue (2023–2024)
    Offensive coordinator & quarterbacks coach
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Passing yards:20
Completion %:50.0
Passer rating:64.6
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Graham Stanton Harrell (born May 22, 1985) is an American football coach and former quarterback. He played college football for Texas Tech Red Raiders from 2004 to 2008. He played in the Canadian Football League (CFL) and the National Football League (NFL) from 2009 to 2013, with his longest tenure as a player with the Green Bay Packers. He served as the offensive coordinator of the North Texas Mean Green (2016–2018), USC Trojans (2019–2021) and the West Virginia Mountaineers (2022).

Contents

Harrell was born in Brownwood, Texas. He attended high school in Ennis, Texas. After high school graduation, he enrolled at Texas Tech University and played quarterback for the Red Raiders, starting for three seasons. As a fifth-senior in 2008, he was named a first-team All-American quarterback, Heisman Trophy finalist in 2008, and set school, conference and national records for passing yards, attempts, completions, and touchdown passes.

After going undrafted in the 2009 NFL draft, he was signed by the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League in 2009. He was signed into the NFL in 2010 by the Green Bay Packers, where he was a part of the Super Bowl XLV win with the Packers over the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was also a member of the New York Jets.

Early life

Harrell was born to Sam and Kathy Harrell in Brownwood, Texas, where his father was an assistant under legendary Texas high school football coach Gordon Wood. His father was hired as head coach at Ennis High School in Ennis, Texas. Harrell played at EHS under his father's coaching. He was the starting quarterback for three seasons and led the Ennis Lions to a state Class 4A title as a sophomore in 2001. He also played in the 2004 Oil Bowl, receiving the offensive MVP award. [1] Harrell set Texas high school records in these categories: [2]

  • Single-season passing yards (4,825 in 2003 over 13 games; the next two quarterbacks on the list set their records over 16-game seasons). This record stood until 2007 when it was broken by Lake Travis quarterback Garrett Gilbert. [3]
  • Career passing yards (12,532 from 2000 to 2003; Broken by Gilbert in 2008). [4]
  • Single-season touchdown passes (67 in 2003)
  • Career touchdown passes (167 from 2000 to 2003) [5]
  • Single-season pass completions (334 in 2003; also broken by Gilbert, who recorded 359 completions in 2007). [6]

In addition, Harrell ranks second in career pass completions (805 from 2000 to 2003).

Playing career

College career

Freshman and redshirt freshman seasons

In 2004, Harrell redshirted his first season at Texas Tech. [7] The following season, he served as the backup quarterback behind another Texas Tech record setter, Cody Hodges, who led college football in passing yards in 2005.

Sophomore season

Harrell started in every game of the 2006 season, beating out classmate Chris Todd. Harrell got the Raiders off to a quick start with wins over Southern Methodist University, The University of Texas at El Paso, Southeastern Louisiana University and conference rival Texas A&M. The lone Red Raider loss was to Texas Christian University, 12–3 in the third game of the season. Despite the 4–1 start, Harrell was benched halfway through the next game due to poor play after the Raiders fell behind the Missouri Tigers 24–0, and Todd was inserted for two series. Harrell came back into the game and got the Raiders within 3 points before the half but struggled in the second half as Tech lost 38–21. The next week against a winless Colorado team that Tech was heavily favored to beat, Harrell once again was benched in favor of Todd for a 4 interception game resulting in a 30–6 loss. However, Harrell rebounded to throw for 6 touchdowns against the Iowa State Cyclones and then threw for 519 yards and 3 touchdowns against the Texas Longhorns in a narrow 35–31 loss. The Raiders finished the season with a 55–21 win against the Baylor Bears, a 34–24 loss to the Oklahoma Sooners, and a 30–24 win against the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Texas Tech finished the regular season 7–5 (4–4 in the Big 12) and received an invitation to the 2006 Insight Bowl.

The 7–5 Red Raiders faced off against the 6–6 Minnesota Golden Gophers at the 2006 Insight Bowl in Tempe, Arizona. Texas Tech struggled on both offense and defense during first 3 quarters of the Insight Bowl. The Minnesota Golden Gophers outscored Tech 38–7 through the end of the 3rd quarter. The Red Raiders, sparked by a 43-yard touchdown from Harrell to Joel Filani, went on to outscore the Gophers 31–0 through the end of regulation sending the game into overtime. On the final drive, Harrell drove the Red Raider offense almost 70 yards in less than a minute to set up the game-tying field goal by Alex Trlica. Following a Minnesota field goal, Tech scored a touchdown to win the game 44–41 capping a 31-point deficit, setting the record for the largest comeback victory in FBS bowl history. Harrell threw for 445 yards, two touchdowns, and 1 rushing touchdown and was named the offensive MVP. [8] Tech finished the year 8–5, their 13th straight winning season, and their fifth straight season with at least 8 wins 4th bowl win out of the previous 5 seasons. He threw for 38 touchdowns and 4,555 passing yards, the third-most by a sophomore in NCAA Division I FBS history and the most ever thrown by a sophomore in the history of the Big 12.

Junior season

Harrell declined to enter the 2007 NFL draft. He continued the success of the previous season, mainly due to the addition of All-American wide receiver Michael Crabtree and the emergence of inside receivers Danny Amendola and Eric Morris. The Raiders started the season off with wins over the SMU Mustangs 49–9, the UTEP Miners 45–31, and the Rice Owls 59–24. Harrell then had a career day against the Oklahoma State Cowboys throwing for 5 touchdowns and 646 yards, however due to the poor play of the Tech defense, the Raiders lost to the Cowboys 49–45. Harrell was still given recognition as the AT&T Player of the Week for his performance despite the loss. The Raiders then reeled off lopsided wins over Northwestern State, Iowa State, and Texas A&M pushing their record to 6–1 and into the national rankings. Harrell being mentioned as a dark horse candidate for the Heisman Trophy. The Raiders then dropped two games to Missouri and Colorado which knocked Tech out of the national conversation, but rebounded to beat Baylor 38–7. Harrell led the Red Raiders into Austin, Texas to face off against Colt McCoy and the Texas Longhorns, in a back and forth affair that Texas won 59–43 by simply outscoring Tech. The Raiders upset the # 4 ranked Oklahoma Sooners in Lubbock to finish the regular season 8–4 overall and 4–4 and third place in the Big 12 South. Tech was invited to the Gator Bowl where they defeated a ranked Virginia team 31–28 to finish 9–4 overall and ranked #22 in the country. Harrell was named the game's Most Valuable Player. He finished the season with a 71.8% completion percentage, throwing for 5,705 yards and 48 touchdowns. He was awarded the Sammy Baugh Trophy, an award for the best passer in college football in a given season. [9]

Senior season

Entering his senior season, Harrell had 89 career passing touchdowns, putting him within range of Colt Brennan's NCAA record of 131 touchdowns. [10] Before the beginning of his final season, CBS Sports listed Harrell as a Heisman hopeful. Tech wide receiver Michael Crabtree's name also appeared on the list. [11] Harrell was also named one of 26 candidates for the 2008 Unitas Award, given to the nation's best senior college football quarterback. [12] Additionally, his name appeared among 30 other quarterbacks in the Davey O'Brien Award watch list. [13] Harrell, along with coach Mike Leach and teammate Michael Crabtree were featured on the cover of the 2008 edition of Dave Campbell's Texas Football . [14]

To support the Heisman campaign of both Harrell and Crabtree, Texas Tech created a website called PassOrCatch2008.com, which is modeled after political campaigns. The site garnered national attention and was awarded a Telly Award which honors the best in local, regional, and cable commercials and programs, as well as online videos, films, and commercials. [15] [16] After leading the Red Raiders to a victory over the #1 Texas Longhorns, Harrell and teammate Daniel Charbonnet were selected for Big 12 Player of the Week honors. [17] Harrell also overtook Texas quarterback Colt McCoy at the top of the Heisman poll. [18] Harrell was also one of ten finalists for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and one of thirteen finalists for the Davey O'Brien Award. [19] [20] [21]

Following the inaugural game of the 2008 season, where Texas Tech defeated the Eastern Washington Eagles, 49–24, Harrell was selected as the AT&T ESPN All-America Player. [22] After the Red Raiders 58–28 victory over the Kansas State Wildcats, Harrell received two more honors. He was recognized as the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week and the O'Brien Quarterback of the Week. [23] [24] During the game against Kansas State, Harrell broke the all-time record for passing yards at Texas Tech. The previous record, set by Kliff Kingsbury, was 12,429 yards. After the game, Harrell's record stood at 12,709 yards. [24] Following the 63–21 win over #18 Kansas on October 25, 2008, Harrell was again named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week. Teammate Matt Williams was named the Special Teams Player of the Week. [25] After Tech's 65–21 loss to Oklahoma, Harrell's chances of winning the Heisman were reduced. [26] Harrell finished fourth in the Heisman race but did not receive an invitation to attend the presentation ceremony. Michael Crabtree finished fifth. [27]

Playing with 2 broken fingers on his left hand, Harrell leads Tech to victory over Baylor. Harrellbrokenfingers3.jpg
Playing with 2 broken fingers on his left hand, Harrell leads Tech to victory over Baylor.

In the final regular season game against Baylor, Harrell shattered two of his fingers (the pinkie and middle finger) of his non-throwing hand during the second quarter. At halftime, Harrell's hand was x-rayed, and medical examiners advised Harrell to discontinue playing in the game. Harrell replied, "Tape my hand up. I'm going out." Harrell played the rest of the game with black tape around his fingers. He finished with 309 total passing yards and two touchdowns. With the victory, Tech clinched a share of the Big 12 South title, though fell short at going to the Big 12 Championship Game. On the day following the Baylor game, Harrell underwent a four-hour surgery, in which 17 pins and two plates were inserted into his injured hand to heal nine different breaks. He was later cleared to play in the postseason bowl game. [28]

On December 2, 2008, Harrell and teammate Michael Crabtree were named as Walter Camp Award finalists. [29]

On December 4, 2008, the American Football Coaches Association compiled its 2008 AFCA Coaches' All-American Team, with Harrell headlining the list. [30]

On October 25, 2008, Graham Harrell passed Philip Rivers to move into sole possession of third place for passing yardage in a career. On November 22, 2008, Harrell passed Ty Detmer to move into second for passing yardage in a career behind Timmy Chang. [31] On January 2, 2009, Harrell played his final collegiate game, a 34–47 loss to Ole Miss in the 2009 AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic. In the game, Harrell finished his college career with an NCAA all-time record of 134 passing touchdowns, breaking the previous mark of 131 set by Colt Brennan. [32] He also equaled Brennan's record of 147 career touchdowns passing, rushing, and receiving, a record that would be broken the following year by Central Michigan's Dan LeFevour. Harrell also compiled 5,111 passing yards in the season, becoming the first NCAA player to post multiple 5,000-yard passing seasons. [33]

College statistics

SeasonGPCmpAttPctYdsTDIntQBR
Texas Tech Red Raiders
2005 6375567.342230149.7
2006 1341261766.84,5553811145.5
2007 1351271371.85,7054814157.3
2008 1344262670.65,111459160.0
Career 451,4032,01169.815,79313434154.3

NCAA records

Harrell holds 8 Individual NCAA records. See also NCAA records held by individual Red Raiders

NCAA recordStatistic
Most passes completed in a season [34] 512 (2007)
Most passes completed on average per game in a season [34] 39.4 (2007)
Most passes completed per game in a career [34] 31.2
Most games gaining 400 Yards or more passing in a season [34] 11 (2007) (13 Games)
Most games gaining 400 yards or more passing in a career [34] 20 (Tied)
Most yards gained on average against one opponent per game in a career [34] 486.3 (Minimum 3 Games, vs Texas)
Most seasons gaining 4,000 yards or more total offense [34] 3 (Tied)
Most games gaining 400 yards or more total offense in a career [34] 21 (Tied)

The NCAA Records book also mentions Graham Harrell for the following items: [34]

  • Single-game yards passing: 646 (Rank 6th) (Vs Oklahoma St. September 22, 2007)
  • Single-game yards, total offense: 643 (Rank 7th) (Vs Oklahoma St. September 22, 2007)
  • Single-game attempts: 72 (Rank 23rd) (vs Oklahoma November 17, 2007)
  • single-game completions: 48 (18th) (vs UTEP September 8, 2007)
  • Single-game completions: 47 (Rank 20th) (vs Oklahoma November 17, 2007)
  • Season yards passing: 5,705 (Rank 2nd) 2007
  • Season yards passing: 5,111 (Rank 8th) 2008
  • Season yards total offense: 5,614 (Rank 5th) 2007
  • Season yards total offense: 5.096 (Rank 13th) 2008
  • Season yards per game passing: 438.8 (Rank 3rd) 2007
  • Season yards per game passing: 393.2 (Rank 14th) 2008
  • Season yards per game total offense: 431.8 (Rank 3rd) 2007
  • Season yards per game total offense: 392 (Rank 18th) 2008
  • Season touchdown passes: 48 (Rank 7th) 2007
  • Season touchdown passes: 45 (Rank 14th) 2008
  • Career yards passing: 15,793 (Rank 4th)
  • Career yards total offense: 15,599 (Rank 5th)
  • Career yards passing per game: 351 (Rank 3rd)
  • Career yards per game total offense: 346.6 (Rank 5th)
  • Career touchdown passes: 134 (Rank 3rd)
  • Annual total offense champion: 2007

NCAA records reference (Last referenced for 2015 season) [34]

Awards and honors

Harrell has received multiple honors, including the 2008 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.

2006 2006 Insight Bowl MVP Selected [8]
2006All-Big 12Selected for honorable-mention
2006Academic All-Big 12Selected for first-team [35]
2007 AT&T ESPN All-America Player of the Week Selected twice
2007 All-Big-12 Selected for second-team
2007 Sammy Baugh Trophy Winner
2007Academic All-Big 12Selected for first-team [36]
2008 2008 Gator Bowl MVPSelected [37]
2008 AT&T ESPN All-America Player of the Week Selected four times
2008Academic All-Big 12Selected for first-teamPosted a 4.00 GPA [38]
2008AFCA Coaches' All-American Selected [30]
2008 National Football Foundation National Scholar-AthleteSelected [39]
2008 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Winner [40] [41]
2008 Heisman Trophy CandidateFinished fourth [42]
2008All-Big 12Selected for honorable-mention
2008 The Sporting News 2008 National Player of the Year SelectedCo-national player of the year with Sam Bradford and Colt McCoy [43]
2008 AT&T All-America Player of the Year WinnerVoted on by fans [44]

Professional career

Pre-draft

Following his senior season at Texas Tech, Harrell entered the 2009 NFL draft but went undrafted to the surprise of many. [45] He participated in rookie camp for the Cleveland Browns in May 2009 but was not signed despite coach Eric Mangini giving Harrell praise. [46] UFL Access reported that Harrell would work out in front of United Football League representatives in Las Vegas. [47]

Saskatchewan Roughriders

On July 20, 2009, Harrell signed a two-year plus an option contract with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League, joining former Texas Tech teammate Eric Morris who had signed months earlier. [48] After a brief stay in the CFL, Harrell requested to be released from his CFL contract to pursue his NFL options, and was released by the Roughriders on April 22, 2010. [49] [50]

Green Bay Packers

Harrell signed with the Green Bay Packers on May 19, 2010. On December 18, Harrell was signed to the active roster due to an injury to Aaron Rodgers. On September 3, 2011, the Packers released Harrell, but they re-signed him on September 4, 2011, to the practice squad. [51] [52] On December 7, 2011, the Packers again signed Harrell to the active roster. After the departure of primary back-up Matt Flynn, Harrell was promoted to the active roster full-time and was named Rodgers' primary backup.

On September 30, 2012, Graham played in his first game for Green Bay. Coming in for one snap in the red zone, Harrell took the snap to hand off to Cedric Benson, but was tripped by his center, resulting in a fumbled hand off and a lost fumble. [53] Harrell appeared in four regular-season games, completing 2 of 4 passes for 20 yards. He hosted a weekly sports talk show called the "Witt Ford Red Zone with Graham Harrell" every Monday during the 2012 season on 104.1 FM WRLU and archived at DoorCountyDailyNews.com. [54]

Harrell struggled in the pre-season and on August 24, 2013, USA Today reported that Green Bay would be releasing Harrell, as former Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young outplayed Harrell according to the Packers coaching staff in the pre-season. [55]

New York Jets

Harrell was signed by the New York Jets on August 28, 2013. [56] He was brought in after reserve quarterback Greg McElroy re-injured his knee. Harrell played for one series at the end of the Jets' final 2013 preseason game against the Eagles in relief of Matt Simms. [57] He was released on September 2, 2013, after the Jets signed Brady Quinn. [58]

Coaching career

Early career

Harrell first started coaching by accepting a quality control position at Oklahoma State when Mike Gundy hired former Tech offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen to run the Cowboy offense. Harrell helped tutor the OSU quarterbacks with the new Air Raid system that Gundy had hired Holgorsen to run. Harrell left OSU to play football in Canada. After not playing in the NFL during the 2013 season, Harrell joined the coaching staff at Washington State in April 2014, re-uniting him with his college coach Mike Leach. Harrell was given the position of offensive analyst. [59] In February 2015, Harrell was named the football program's outside receivers coach, replacing Dennis Simmons. [60]

North Texas

In December 2015, former Texas Tech running backs coach Seth Littrell was named head football coach at the University of North Texas. Harrell became one of Littrell's first hires, as he was named offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at UNT. Despite being named OC at North Texas, Harrell said he would honor his contract with Leach and WSU and coach the Cougars in the Sun Bowl.

At UNT, Harrell inherited an offense that had ranked in the bottom 25 of the country in passing, total yards, and points in 2015. He improved the unit such that his offenses were ranked in the top 26 nationally in passing, total yards, and points in both 2017 and 2018. [61]

USC

On December 7, 2018, UNC-Chapel Hill sports site Inside Carolina claimed that Harrell had accepted the role of offensive coordinator at the University of North Carolina, but Inside Carolina retracted the claim hours later. [62] On January 29, 2019, Harrell was hired as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at the University of Southern California (USC) under head coach Clay Helton. [63]

West Virginia

On January 10, 2022, Harrell was hired as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at West Virginia University. [64]

Purdue

On December 20, 2022, Harrell was named the offensive coordinator for the Purdue Boilermakers. [65]

On September 29th, 2024, it was announced that Harrell was fired from his position as offensive coordinator after the team started the season 1-3 while averaging only 12.7 points per game during their 3 losses. [66]

Personal life

Harrell is the son of Sam and Kathy Harrell. His grandfather served as assistant coach to Gordon Wood. Harrell has an older brother, Zac, who was a receiver on Ennis High's 2000 State Championship team, and is a graduate of the University of North Texas and coaches at the high school level, serving as the head football coach and athletic director at Athens High School in Athens, Texas. Graham also has a younger brother, Clark Harrell, who played a year at quarterback for the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. Clark transferred to Abilene Christian University after his freshman season at Tulsa and graduated from ACU in 2011. Clark is now the head coach at New Diana High School in Diana, Texas.

Sam Harrell, Graham's father, was the highest paid high school coach in Texas as of the 2005–06 academic year. [67] He coached at Reagan County (1990–1993) and Ennis (1994–2009) before retiring from coaching duties in December 2010 due to health problems. Sam returned to the sidelines after over two years of aggressive treatment for multiple sclerosis, [68] coaching in Brownwood under Bob Shipley, father of Jacksonville Jaguars and former Texas wideout Jordan Shipley. [69] After a short stint as the offensive coordinator for the Southwestern Assembly of God University Lions in Waxahachie, Texas, Sam returned to Ennis High School as the head coach of the Ennis Lions.

Harrell has been married to Brittney Tomlinson of Tyler, Texas since March 2012. They have a son, Herschel Hawk who was born in 2015. [70] [71]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ty Detmer</span> American football player and coach (born 1967)

Ty Hubert Detmer is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL). He won the Heisman Trophy in 1990 while playing college football for the BYU Cougars. Detmer broke numerous NCAA records with BYU, and was twice recognized as a consensus All-American. A late-round pick in the 1992 NFL draft, Detmer played for six NFL teams over 14 seasons, mostly in a backup role. He is currently the Athletic Director at American Leadership Academy – Gilbert North High School in Gilbert, Arizona.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kliff Kingsbury</span> American football player and coach (born 1979)

Kliff Timothy Kingsbury is an American professional football coach and former quarterback who is the offensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas Tech Red Raiders, finishing in the top three in several school passing records before being selected in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL draft by the New England Patriots. He was a member of several other NFL and CFL teams before entering coaching in 2008.

Sonny Jack Cumbie is an American football coach and former quarterback. He is the head football coach at Louisiana Tech University, a position he has held since the 2022 season. Cumbie previously served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Texas Tech University and was the interim head coach after the departure of Matt Wells in 2021. He also served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Texas Christian University (TCU). Cumbie played college football at Texas Tech and was the team's starting quarterback during the 2004 season, when he led the nation in passing and total offense and a guided the Red Raiders to win in the 2004 Holiday Bowl, earning MVP honors for the game. Cumbie played professionally in the Arena Football League (AFL), the Indoor Football League (IFL), and briefly in the National Football League (NFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colt McCoy</span> American football player (born 1986)

Daniel "Colt" McCoy is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback for 13 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas Longhorns, winning several awards and honors as a senior in 2009 and ranking second all-time in games won by an FBS quarterback. McCoy was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of the 2010 NFL draft and was also a member of the San Francisco 49ers, Washington Redskins, New York Giants, and Arizona Cardinals, primarily being used as a backup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">B. J. Symons</span> American football player (born 1980)

Brian Jeffrey Symons is an American former professional football quarterback. Symons played for the Houston Texans and Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL), the Frankfurt Galaxy and Berlin Thunder in NFL Europe, and the Tampa Bay Storm of the Arena Football League (AFL). He was selected by the Texans in the seventh round of the 2004 NFL draft. He played college football for Texas Tech where he was a record setting passer. Symons never played in a regular season NFL game.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gus Malzahn</span> American football player and coach (born 1965)

Arthur Gustav Malzahn III is an American football coach who is the offensive coordinator at Florida State. He was the head coach at the University of Central Florida (UCF) from 2021 to 2024, Auburn University from 2013 to 2020, and Arkansas State in 2012. He also served as offensive coordinator at Auburn from 2009 to 2011; in that role, he helped lead the 2010 Auburn Tigers to a national championship victory. As head coach at Auburn, he led the team to a SEC Championship win and an appearance in the 2014 National Championship. Malzahn has coached Heisman winner Cam Newton and two Heisman finalists: Nick Marshall and Tre Mason, including coaching 14 All-Americans. During Malzahn's tenure at Auburn, he was the second-longest tenured head coach at one school in the SEC, behind Nick Saban.

Cody Hodges is a philanthropist, motivational speaker, and former professional American football player, playing in the National Football League (NFL), Arena Football League (AFL), and the Arena League 2. Hodges is best known for his one season as the starting quarterback for the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the 2005 season. As a fifth year Senior, he led the nation in passing and total offense and an appearance in the 2006 Cotton Bowl Classic and a 9–3 overall record. He was the 3rd straight fifth year senior to start for Mike Leach and Texas Tech and was also the second of 4 West Texas natives to take the quarterback reins in the Leach era, along with predecessor Sonny Cumbie and successors Taylor Potts and Seth Doege.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2007 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team</span> American college football season

The 2007 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team represented Texas Tech University as a member of the Big 12 Conference during the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by eighth-year head coach Mike Leach, the Red Raiders compiled an overall record of 9–4 with a mark of 4–4 in conference play, placing in a three-way tie for third in the Big 12's South Division with Texas A&M and Oklahoma State. While all three teams had a matching 4–4 conference record, Tech had a better overall record of 9–4 compared to the Aggies and Cowboys, who both had a record of 7–6. Texas Tech was invited to the Gator Bowl, where they defeated Virginia. The Red Raiders were ranked No. 22 in the final AP Poll and No. 23 in the final Coaches Poll. The team played home games at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Crabtree</span> American football player (born 1987)

Michael Alex Crabtree Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver for 11 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas Tech Red Raiders, twice earning unanimous All-American honors. He was selected 10th overall by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2009 NFL draft. Crabtree was a member of the 49ers for six seasons and spent the remainder of his career with the Oakland Raiders, Baltimore Ravens, and Arizona Cardinals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team</span> American college football season

The 2008 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team represented Texas Tech University as a member of the Big 12 Conference during the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by ninth-year head coach Mike Leach, the Red Raiders compiled an overall record of 11–2 with a mark of 7–1 in conference play, finishing in a three-way tie with Oklahoma and Texas atop the Big 12 South Division standing. To break the tie, the Bowl Championship Series BCS rankings were used to determine who would face Missouri in Big 12 Championship Game. Oklahoma, ranked No. 2 in the BCS poll, was chosen to represent the South Division in the game. Texas Tech was invited to the Cotton Bowl Classic, where they lost to Ole Miss. The Red Raiders played home games at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 Oklahoma Sooners football team</span> American college football season

The 2008 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma in the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season, the 114th season of Sooner football. The team was led by two-time Walter Camp Coach of the Year Award winner, Bob Stoops, in his 10th season as head coach. They played their homes games at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. They were a charter member of the Big 12 Conference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dana Holgorsen</span> American football coach (born 1971)

Dana Carl Holgorsen is an American college football coach. He is currently the offensive coordinator at the University of Nebraska. He served as the head football coach at West Virginia University from 2011 to 2018 and the University of Houston from 2019 to 2023. Holgorsen has worked as an assistant coach under Hal Mumme, Mike Leach, Kevin Sumlin, and Mike Gundy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2009 Cotton Bowl Classic</span> College football game

The 2009 AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic was the 73rd edition of the annual college football bowl game that was part of the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season and was one of 34 games in the 2008–09 bowl season. The game featured the Ole Miss Rebels of the Southeastern Conference and the Texas Tech Red Raiders of the Big 12 Conference. Ole Miss won the game 47–34, in what turned out to be the highest scoring game in front of the largest Cotton Bowl Classic crowd in history.

Brian Delance Johnson is an American professional football coach and former quarterback who is the assistant head coach and offensive pass game coordinator for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He has been an offensive coordinator for the NCAA's Utah Utes, Houston Cougars, and Florida Gators and the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles. Johnson played college football at Utah and was briefly a member of the United Football League's (UFL) New York Sentinels in 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taylor Potts</span> American football player (born 1987)

Taylor Potts is a former American football quarterback. He played college football at Texas Tech, and was signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2011. He was waived during training camp, and then signed as a free agent by the San Diego Chargers in May 2012, where he was expected to compete for the third-string quarterback position.

The 2008 Big 12 Conference football season saw ties is both northern and southern divisions, with tiebreakers used to select divisional representatives for the 2008 Big 12 Championship Game, in which Oklahoma won 62–21 against Missouri to qualify for the 2009 BCS National Championship Game.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seth Doege</span> American football player and coach (born 1988)

Seth Colton Doege is an American football coach and former quarterback, who is the current offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Marshall Thundering Herd. After playing college football for Texas Tech University, he was signed by the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2013. On February 27, 2014, he was signed to the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League. Doege was Texas Tech's starting quarterback for the 2011 and 2012 seasons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team</span> American college football season

The 2012 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team represented Texas Tech University as member of the Big 12 Conference during the 2012 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by Tommy Tuberville in his third and final season as head coach the Red Raiders compiled an overall record of 8–5 with a mark 4–5 conference play, placing in a four-way tie for fifth place in Big 12. Texas Tech was invited to the Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas, where they defeated Minnesota. The team played home games at Jones AT&T Stadium on the university's campus in Lubbock, Texas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Wells (American football coach)</span> American football player and coach (born 1973)

Matthew Scribner Wells is an American college football coach and former quarterback. He is the associate head coach, co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Kansas State University. Wells previously served as offensive coordinator and then head coach at Utah State University, where he was named Mountain West Conference coach of the year in 2013 and 2018. Wells was named head football coach at Texas Tech University on November 29, 2018, and led the team until his firing midway through the 2021 season. He also served as an offensive analyst at the University of Oklahoma under head coach Brent Venables during the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Davis Webb</span> American football player and coach (born 1995)

Davis Matthew Webb is an American professional football coach and former quarterback who is the quarterbacks coach for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played his first three seasons of college football for the Texas Tech Red Raiders and then the California Golden Bears, before being selected by the New York Giants in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft. In his seven seasons in the NFL, he was a member of all three franchises representing cities in New York, spending the most time with the Buffalo Bills.

References

  1. "Texas Beats Oklahoma in 67th Annual Oil Bowl". NFLHS.com. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved May 11, 2007.
  2. "SchoolDay: Oh, brother!". Dallas Morning News. September 15, 2005. Retrieved May 11, 2007.
  3. Davis, Danny (January 10, 2007). "It took a while, but Lake Travis confirms Gilbert's third state record". Austin American-Statesman . Retrieved February 7, 2008.[ dead link ]
  4. "Lake Travis beats Longview, 48-23". Dallas Morning News. Associated Press. December 21, 2008. Archived from the original on January 30, 2009.
  5. "Texas High School Football Passing Career Touchdown Leaders". Lone Star Gridiron.
  6. "A truly Fabulous year for Lake Travis' Gilbert". Archived from the original on February 4, 2009.
  7. Magelssen, Tommy (April 15, 2014). "Report: Former Texas Tech, Ennis QB Graham Harrell will join Mike Leach's Washington State staff". Dallas News. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  8. 1 2 "Down 31, Texas Tech rallies for biggest bowl comeback". ESPN.com . Associated Press. December 29, 2006. Archived from the original on November 25, 2017. Retrieved May 11, 2007.
  9. "Sammy Baugh Trophy Winners". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  10. Wolff, Josh (July 5, 2008). "Shaking the 'system' label". Pro Football Weekly. Archived from the original on October 11, 2008. Retrieved November 9, 2008.
  11. "Heisman Hopefuls". CBS Sports . Archived from the original on November 13, 2007. Retrieved April 10, 2008.
  12. "MU's Chase Daniel on Unitas Award watch list". Archived from the original on June 14, 2008.
  13. "2008 O'Brien Quarterback Award Watch List Released" (Press release). Archived from the original on July 25, 2011.
  14. "Campbell picks Cove to win District 12-5A". Killeen Daily Herald. June 17, 2008. Archived from the original on January 10, 2009. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
  15. Williams, Don (October 8, 2008). "Tech site gets national attention". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal . Archived from the original on April 1, 2012. Retrieved October 10, 2008.
  16. Post, Sally Logue (May 14, 2009). "Texas Tech Athletics Media Relations Office Heisman Campaign Wins National Award". Texas Tech University News. Retrieved May 14, 2009.
  17. "Big 12 notebook: Still more big games left". SportingNews.com. Retrieved November 7, 2008.[ permanent dead link ]
  18. "Harrell overtakes McCoy in Heisman poll". Austin American-Statesman . November 3, 2008. Archived from the original on November 6, 2008. Retrieved November 7, 2008.
  19. "Harrell Among Unitas Finalists: Texas Tech senior quarterback one of 10 vying for prestigious award". Texas Tech Athletics. October 14, 2008. Archived from the original on October 18, 2008. Retrieved October 19, 2008.
  20. "Harrell Among Unitas Finalists: Texas Tech senior quarterback one of 10 vying for prestigious award". KSCW-DT. October 27, 2008. Retrieved October 27, 2008.[ permanent dead link ]
  21. "Just another TT QB? No, Harrell is a shock to the system". Archived from the original on February 3, 2013.
  22. "Texas Tech: Harrell Named AT&T All-America Player of the Week". NCAA. September 4, 2008. Retrieved September 5, 2008.[ dead link ]
  23. Price, Dwain (October 7, 2008). "Texas Tech: Graham Harrell named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week" . Retrieved October 7, 2008.[ dead link ]
  24. 1 2 "Harrell named O'Brien Quarterback of the Week". NCAA. October 7, 2008. Archived from the original on July 4, 2007. Retrieved October 7, 2008.
  25. "Harrell, Lewis and Williams Named Big 12 football Players of the Week". Big 12 Conference. October 27, 2008. Retrieved October 27, 2008.
  26. "Dreams of Harrell, Texas Tech come crashing down".
  27. Thamel, Pete (December 13, 2008). "A Few Heisman Nuggets". The New York Times . Retrieved December 14, 2008.
  28. Forde, Pat (December 1, 2008). "Tech's Harrell has surgery to fix nine finger breaks". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  29. "Florida's Tebow, Charlie Strong finalists for national awards". St. Petersburg Times . December 2, 2008. Archived from the original on December 6, 2008. Retrieved December 2, 2008.
  30. 1 2 "Texas Tech's Harrell Headlines 2008 AFCA Coaches' All-American Team". American Football Coaches Association. December 4, 2008. Archived from the original on December 7, 2008. Retrieved December 4, 2008.
  31. "'Oklahoma's message soundly delivered with destruction of Texas Tech". Archived from the original on April 19, 2021.
  32. "Texas Tech's Harrell sets NCAA career TD mark". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 2, 2009. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  33. "Bold Miss: Texas Tech no match for Rebels, 47–34".
  34. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "2015 Football Records Book (FBS)" (PDF). NCAA . Retrieved September 10, 2015.
  35. "2006 Academic All-Big 12 football Team Announced" (PDF) (Press release). Big 12 Conference. November 21, 2006. Retrieved November 26, 2008.
  36. "2007 Academic All-Big 12 football Team Announced" (PDF) (Press release). Big 12 Conference. November 20, 2007. Retrieved November 26, 2008.
  37. "Texas Tech Red Raiders, NCAA Football, Virginia Cavaliers". CBSSports.com. Archived from the original on March 31, 2008. Retrieved December 28, 2010.
  38. "2008 Academic All-Big 12 football Team Announced" (PDF) (Press release). Big 12 Conference. November 25, 2008. Retrieved November 26, 2008.
  39. "NFF Scholar-Athlete Bio". National Football Foundation. Archived from the original on April 19, 2012. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  40. "Graham Harrell Wins Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award". Official Texas Tech Athletic Site. December 8, 2008. Retrieved December 9, 2008.
  41. "Harrell 2008 Johny Unitas Golden Arm Award" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on December 21, 2008. Retrieved December 10, 2008.
  42. "Sooners' Bradford Wins Heisman Trophy".[ permanent dead link ]
  43. "Texas Tech QB Harrell named co-national player of the year". The Dallas Morning News. December 17, 2008. Archived from the original on January 18, 2010. Retrieved December 18, 2008.
  44. "Harrell Selected AT&T All-America Player of the Year". Texas Tech Official Athletic Site. January 9, 2009. Archived from the original on January 18, 2009. Retrieved January 9, 2009.
  45. Williams, Don (April 26, 2009). "Chargers land Vasquez, Cowboys take Williams". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal . Retrieved April 27, 2009.
  46. Cabot, Mary Kay (May 4, 2009). "Browns Insider: No deal for QB Harrell, but coaching staff was positive, says agent". The Plain Dealer . Retrieved May 13, 2009.
  47. "Rex Grossman, Graham Harrell to the UFL". Archived from the original on May 23, 2009.
  48. "Riders sign Quarterback Graham Harrell". Saskatchewan Roughriders Football Club. July 20, 2009. Archived from the original on February 20, 2012. Retrieved July 20, 2009.
  49. "Riders release QB Harrell, WR Morris". cfl.ca. April 22, 2010. Archived from the original on April 25, 2010. Retrieved April 22, 2010.
  50. https://leaderpost.com/sports/Roughrider+Harrell+released+Green/8831987/story.html%5B‍%5D
  51. "Packers cut 23 players to trim roster to 53". The Columbian. September 3, 2011. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  52. "Packers sign eight players to practice squad". Archived from the original on May 20, 2012. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
  53. Tjarks, Jonathan (September 30, 2012). "Graham Harrell fumbles his first career NFL snap". SB Nation Dallas. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  54. "Packers Running Back Alex Green a Big Hit in Sturgeon Bay | Door County Daily News". Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved December 13, 2012.
  55. Pelissero, Tom (August 24, 2013). "Packers to cut Graham Harrell, making Vince Young No. 2". USA Today. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  56. Katzowitz, Josh (August 28, 2013). "Report: Jets sign former Packers QB Graham Harrell". CBSSports.com. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  57. Allen, Eric (August 28, 2013). "QB Graham Harrell Added, C Dalton Freeman Released". New York Jets. Archived from the original on August 31, 2013. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  58. Lange, Randy (September 2, 2013). "Jets QB Rotation: Brady Quinn In, Harrell Out". New York Jets. Archived from the original on September 4, 2013. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
  59. Report: Former Texas Tech QB Graham Harrell will join Mike Leach's Washington State staff Archived April 16, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  60. Report: Graham Harrell Named Outside Receivers Coach Archived February 12, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
  61. "Graham Harrell - Football Coach".
  62. "Note on Graham and Bateman Reports". 247Sports. December 8, 2018. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  63. Rittenberg, Adam (January 29, 2019). "USC hires North Texas OC to replace Kingsbury". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  64. Montoro, Mike (January 10, 2022). "Football Announces Graham Harrell as Offensive Coordinator" . Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  65. Fezler, D.J. (January 20, 2022). "Purdue Football Officially Announces Graham Harrell, Kevin Kane as Coordinators". www.si.com. FanNation. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  66. Backus, Will (September 30, 2024). "How ex-Purdue offensive coordinator Graham Harrell went from hot coaching name to midseason firing". CBS Sports. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  67. "In dollars, coaches beat teachers". Austin American-Statesman . August 27, 2006. p. A1. Archived from the original on December 3, 2008. Retrieved February 25, 2009.
  68. Harrell, Sam (September 23, 2013). "Sam Harrell demonstrates his progress after receiving umbilical cord stem cells + fat stem cells for multiple sclerosis". CellMedicine.com. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
  69. George, Brandon. "Ennis ISD official release on football coach Sam Harrell retiring from coaching". Dallas Morning News High School Sports Blog. Retrieved December 27, 2010.
  70. Kaufman, Joey (March 4, 2019). "Graham Harrell tasked with reviving USC offense with some 'Air Raid' flair". The Orange County Register. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  71. Dellenger, Ross (August 1, 2019). "Clay Helton goes all-in on Graham Harrell, Air Raid at USC". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 29, 2024.